The Last Second (A Brit in the FBI #6)(49)
Broussard said, “It depends on many things, the atmospheric reentry angle, the speed at which the object is reentering Earth’s atmosphere. Things do not completely combust or vaporize. For example, Skylab dropped debris across Western Australia despite all attempts on the scientists’ part to aim for an unpopulated area. It was within three hundred miles of Perth, much too close for comfort. So the atmosphere could set the EMP off. Or it could be burned up.” He straightened, fire returning to his eyes. “Either way, I can’t imagine how a nuclear bomb could be aboard one of my rockets, much less that Nevaeh Patel put it there.”
Mike said, “When was the last time you had contact with Dr. Patel?”
“July 14—Bastille Day in my country—the day we found the Flor de la Mar. She’d reported to me on the failed insertion of the satellite. She certainly was regretful to report we’d had a failure, took full responsibility, but there was nothing alarming about our conversation. We’ll talk to her once we have means to make a connection. You’ll see.” He looked over at Grant. “I’m sorry, but I really believe you didn’t hear her name, maybe something close, but not Dr. Patel’s name.”
Grant said nothing, only shook his head.
Nicholas said, “Let’s go to the Holy Grail. Did Dr. Patel know you’d found it?”
“Of course. She had a profound interest in my finding the Grail, particularly after I proved to her its capabilities, I guess you could call them, that is, worthiness, health, fulfilling your desire, and immortality. She insisted on calling it the Heaven Stone when I told her that was one of the names given the Grail in the past centuries. She and I were both devoted to my finding it.” He paused. “It was my most ardent desire.” He broke off. He looked like he was in despair.
Why? No, the reasons didn’t matter now. No more softball. Mike said, “Jean-Pierre, why would Dr. Patel schedule the attack at that particular time, if not to retrieve the Grail and kill you? It seems obvious since Devi was shot, and Grant heard Nevaeh’s name, that she had to be working for Dr. Patel. She was probably being threatened with the safety of her sister.”
Broussard wouldn’t meet her eyes. He put his head in his hands, whispered, “I cannot believe it, I cannot. C’est impossible.” He looked up, tears in his eyes. “Whatever happened, whoever is responsible for all this misery, this death, I must have the Grail. If I don’t get it back soon, all will be lost.”
“What will be lost?” Grant asked.
Broussard only shook his head, not looking up.
They were over land now, green and lush, and a few minutes later landed at the airbase in Phuket.
Grant handed Mike back her phone. He looked as exhausted as Broussard.
“Thanks for letting me use your phone, Mike. Fentriss is sending the Blue Mountain G650. It is waiting for us. We’ll be in the air to France as soon as we can board.” He looked over at Broussard. “Jean-Pierre, it’s time for us to speak to Dr. Patel in person.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
T-MINUS 38 HOURS
Aquarius Observatory
Sri Lanka
The sun rose hard and fast over the forest, the gray, milky light giving way to multiple shades of gold and pink, then to a flush stark red. Nevaeh watched with wonder from her bedroom. It was stunningly beautiful. It brought to mind the old saying, “Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.” Indeed, the storm was coming, and when it did, it would strike hard.
How many sunrises and sunsets had she witnessed over the years? How many had she seen from space? Had any been this beautiful?
Kiera, her red hair mussed, entered the bedroom, bringing Nevaeh a cup of coffee and her tablet.
She yawned. “You’re going to want to see this. The media are going absolutely stark raving mad about the missing yacht.”
Nevaeh accepted the coffee but brushed away the tablet. “I don’t care about Jean-Pierre anymore.”
“Unfortunately, you have to pretend to care. You’re going to have to issue another statement.”
Nevaeh groaned. “I don’t want to think about him. I want to think about the future. Come back to bed.”
Kiera gave her a grin but stepped away to flip on the television. “I’m not kidding. It’s on every station. You’ll have to talk to them.”
“I’m supposed to be in China dealing with fairing manufacturing metal fatigue, and then French Guiana overseeing a launch. How do you suggest I suddenly appear on the radar?”
“We’ll make it look like you’re on the jet. It will take nothing to set up. You say you’re en route to Lyon. It will take thirteen hours for you to get there from China anyway.” She paused. “I’m thinking maybe you should shut down the Galactus campus.”
“Shut it down? Won’t that be rather noticeable?”
Kiera sat on the floor in front of the television, her long, muscular legs crossed at the ankles.
She looked up. “Makes sense. You can say you’re suspending operations in order to focus all your attention on the search and rescue of Jean-Pierre. Here’s an idea: You’re worried whoever is behind this—terrorist attack—could come to the Galactus headquarters. You want to protect all the employees. Surely that sounds logical. Also, added bonus—with the campus closed, no media will be able to hound the employees.”